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Farewel to ActionAid Uganda's Communication Boss

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 - 08:31

Photo: ActionAid Uganda

Today, you receive the last edition of the Weekly from me. This particular product, one of the many produced by the communications unit makes me feel very lucky for I have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.

I walked into ActionAid in August 2012, a few months after Arthur, the Country Director then had just taken over the office. Those who know Arthur very well will tell you about his passion for communication . He always had these many ideas on what more we can do document the work of ActionAid for better branding and shared learning. It did not help matters that I was six months pregnant at the time (I will write about this next time, the fact that ActionAid employed me when I was heavily pregnant).

In one of those meetings, he challenged me to produce a weekly newsletter, tracking all activities that made news in and around ActionAid. That was tough, I thought; and yet, that is what he wanted exactly.

Six years later, am happy that you have received the weekly edition every Monday. It has not been easy bearing in mind that communication at ActionAid is a one man office. There were the dry weeks, when really nothing significant happened, there were the days of frozen accounts, there were the days of lots of bad media due to our courageous campaigns on Black Monday, Genetically modified organisms and Gender Based violence. Amidst all these, the weekly came out.

My work on campaigns will also stand out . I remember sitting down to edit the first three editions of Black Monday. Am not sure how I even managed but am glad I did. The Anti corruption caravans and the slogan developments that came with the campaign, the brave engagements with the police to seek for clearance to hold demonstrations in the city centre, the sleepless nights while responding to the bad media that came with the famous Zainab Mbabazi case, a GBV survivor who had been allegedly gang raped and was living at our GBV Shelter will forever be memorable. This is what they call experience.

Great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of ending. As I end my journey at ActionAid, am proud of the strengthened ActionAid brand as a result of improved documentation and strong media relations.

All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another. I longed for this change and I praise God for it. However, having logged into ActionAid at only 25yrs, I celebrate the physical growth, career experience, professional grooming and academic growth. Just to add that I read my Masters degree while at ActionAid.

I will always celebrate ActionAid for these milestones and each of you. Goodbyes make you think. They make you realize what you’ve had, what you’ve lost, and what you’ve taken for granted.

As I exit, am happy that I played my role as the communications officer at ActionAid. I did this with all my heart, soul and expertise. Its no wonder that God has rewarded this service with my dream job.

Last Friday, I was praised, hugged, awarded , carried and even rewarded by ActionAid management and staff. It was an experience I will live with for the rest of my life. Thank you ActionAid for training me but also for recognizing my modest contribution to this organisation for the last six years. The cake, the heavy gift, the kind words and the best wishes will forever live in my heart.

I wish you more strength, passion and courage as we continue to struggle for social justice in our Country and the world at large.